Pack sealing method and device

ABSTRACT

A pack sealing method and device in which a slit tubular member ( 16 ) is slidably fitted around a wrapped portion of a pack ( 8 ) (a bag or envelope made of a diverse material while having a diverse size and a diverse shape) formed as a portion of the pack ( 8 ) near an opening ( 4 ) of the pack ( 8 ) is wrapped around a rod member ( 14 ), in a state in which a diverse liquid, gaseous, and solid material or object is put into the pack ( 8 ) through the opening ( 4 ). The rod member ( 14 ′) is fixedly bonded to the inner or outer surface of the pack ( 8 ) or separate from the pack ( 8 ). Where the pack ( 8 ) is a zipper pack provided with a zipper, this zipper functions as the rod member.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a pack sealing method and device forsealing the opening of a pack adapted to contain diverse liquid,gaseous, and solid materials or objects, in a state in which such amaterial or object is put into the pack through the opening.

BACKGROUND ART

Generally, where food and drink, in particular, food, is stored orpacked in a sealed or vacuum state so that it cannot come into contactwith air or oxygen, it is possible to prevent the food from beingoxidized or rotting, to considerably lengthen the storage period of thefood, and to maintain the freshness and intrinsic smell of the food fora prolonged period of time.

For such a purpose, a zipper pack has been proposed in which a zipperconsisting of female and male zipper members is provided at an openingof the pack, so as to conveniently seal the opening. However, thiszipper pack has a problem in that the seal may be easily collapsed byexternal pressure. Also, there are problems of a difficulty inmanufacture and an increase in manufacturing cost.

Also, a hinged sealing device has been proposed which has two membershingably connected to each other, and adapted to clamp the openingportion of a pack therebetween. However, this hinged sealing devicecannot provide a reliable seal. Furthermore, it is inconvenient to usethis sealing device. In particular, there is a problem caused by thestructure of the sealing device in that the seal at the middle portionof the sealing device is weak.

Meanwhile, general vinyl packs made of a polyethylene (PE) film orpolypropylene (PP) film can be inexpensively and easily manufactured.However, such a vinyl pack does not have a dense structure, so thatsmell molecules of the contents in the vinyl pack may pass through thevinyl pack, thereby emitting foul odors.

When the opening of such a vinyl pack is widened to put a material intothe vinyl pack, it may not be maintained in the widened state. For thisreason, where a soup containing solids is to be put into the vinyl pack,there is a problem in that the liquid or solids of the soup may besmeared on the outer surface of the vinyl pack around the opening orflow along the outer surface of the vinyl pack, thereby staining thevinyl pack. Such a problem is mainly caused by the fact that both thegeneral vinyl pack and the vacuum vinyl pack have an insufficientrigidity to maintain the opened state of their openings, or they have nomeans for maintaining the opened state of their openings.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

An object of the invention is to provide a pack sealing method anddevice in which a pack sealing means is slidably fitted around a foldedor wrapped portion of a pack (a bag or envelope made of a diversematerial while having a diverse size and a diverse shape) formed as theopening of the pack is folded or wrapped in a state in which a diverseliquid, gaseous, and solid material or object is put into the packthrough the opening, so that a desired seal for the pack is convenientlyand reliably achieved.

In accordance with the present invention, a rod member included in apack sealing device is formed at or bonded to the inner or outer surfaceof a pack, to be sealed, near an opening of the pack or at a middleportion of the pack. A desired portion of the pack is wrapped around therod member. In this state, a slit tubular member included in the packsealing device is slidably fitted around the rod member wrapped by thepack portion. Thus, the pack is reliably sealed by the pack sealingdevice.

In accordance with the present invention, at least one ring may beformed at the outer surface of the tubular member to connect a stringsuch as a necklace to the pack sealing device. In this case, the usermay wear the pack containing desired contents on the neck via the stringto carry the pack or hang the pack on a wall to store the pack.

In accordance with the present invention, the rod member of the packsealing device may be formed, at one end thereof, with a bent portion,so as to more easily achieve the coupling of the pack to the packsealing device. A protruded stopper may also be formed at the one end ofthe rod member, so as to prevent the sealed pack from being separatedfrom the pack sealing device by an external force. In addition, asemicircular protrusion may be formed at the tip of the rod member, soas to guide the pack to be easily slidably fitted in the pack sealingdevice.

Where the rod member is attached to the pack while being made of a hardmaterial, a plurality of grooves are formed at the outer surface of therod member such that they are spaced apart from one another by a smalldistance in accordance with the present invention, so as to allow therod member to be flexible. On the other hand, where the pack to besealed by the pack sealing device is a zipper pack, the tubular memberis slidably fitted around the zipper wrapped by a portion of the zipperpack, so as to seal the zipper pack. A plurality of grooves may beformed at the outer surface of the tubular member such that they arespaced apart from one another by a small distance, so as to allow thetubular member to be flexible.

In the pack sealing device according to the present invention, the slittubular member is slidably fitted around the rod member wrapped by aportion of the pack. A slit is formed at the tubular member to extend ina longitudinal direction of the tubular member. A squeeze gap is definedbetween the rod member and the tubular member in order to fit a portionof the pack, to be sealed, in a squeezed fashion. In accordance with thecooperation of the rod member and tubular member, the pack inserted intothe squeeze gap is sealed in a squeezed state. Since most of the facingsurfaces of the rod member and tubular member serve to squeeze the pack,a firm squeeze is achieved, thereby providing a reliable seal for thepack.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a pack and a pack sealingdevice according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating the appearance of the packsealing device according to the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating a tubular member included inthe pack sealing device according to the embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating a rod member included in thepack sealing device according to the embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 5 illustrates, in the form of front and side views, the tubularmember of the pack sealing device according to the embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 6 illustrates, in the form of front and side views, the rod memberof the pack sealing device according to the embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the pack sealing deviceaccording to the embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 8 and 9 are cross-sectional views illustrating a pack sealingdevice according to another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a procedure for sealing apack by use of the pack sealing device according to the embodiment ofthe present invention;

FIGS. 11 to 14 are cross-sectional views respectively illustrating useof pack sealing devices having different structures in accordance withvarious embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 15 is a perspective view illustrating use of the pack sealingdevice in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 16 and 17 are front views illustrating use of the pack sealingdevice in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention,respectively;

FIG. 18 (a) to (d) are cross-sectional views respectively illustratingdifferent structures of a shape retaining means in accordance withvarious embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 19 is a bottom perspective view illustrating a pack sealing deviceaccording to another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 20 is a front view illustrating a pack sealing device according toanother embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 21 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line A-A′ of FIG. 20;

FIG. 22 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a tip portion of the packsealing device shown in FIG. 19;

FIG. 23 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a pack sealing devicemodified from that of FIG. 22 in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 24 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an operation of the rodmember shown in FIG. 23 in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 25 is a perspective view illustrating use of the pack sealingdevice shown in FIG. 19 in accordance with the present invention;

FIGS. 26 and 27 are perspective views each illustrating a pack sealingdevice according to another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 28 is an exploded cross-sectional view illustrating a pack sealingdevice according to another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 29 is an exploded cross-sectional view illustrating a pack sealingdevice according to another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 30 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a pack sealing deviceaccording to another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 31 is a perspective view illustrating use of the pack sealingdevice shown in FIG. 28 in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 32 is a perspective view illustrating a procedure for coupling thepack sealing device of FIG. 31 to a pack in accordance with the presentinvention;

FIG. 33 is a side view illustrating packs to which one or more rodmembers are attached at diverse positions, respectively, in accordancewith the present invention;

FIG. 34 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state in which theopening portion of the pack are folded into several plies so that it issealed by the pack sealing device in accordance with the presentinvention;

FIG. 35 is a front view illustrating a rod member attached to a portionof the pack near one corner of the pack in accordance with anotherembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 36 is a front view illustrating a state in which the rod member iswrapped by the corner portion of the pack in the case of FIG. 35 inaccordance with the present invention;

FIG. 37 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a sealed state in thecase of FIG. 35 in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 38 is a perspective view illustrating a rod member formed withgrooves and bonded to the outer surface of the pack in accordance withanother embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 39 is an enlarged cross-sectional view corresponding to a part ofFIG. 38;

FIG. 40 is an enlarged perspective view illustrating the rod memberprovided with the grooves;

FIG. 41 is a perspective view illustrating the state in which the rodmember of FIG. 40 is bent;

FIG. 42 is a bottom view illustrating a tubular member according toanother embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 43 illustrates a procedure for sealing a zipper pack by the tubularmember in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 44 illustrate, in the form of front and cross-sectional views, thecase in which the rod member is installed in the interior of the pack inaccordance with another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 45 is a front view illustrating an embodiment of the presentinvention modified from that of FIG. 44;

FIG. 46 is a side view corresponding to FIG. 45;

FIG. 47 is a perspective view illustrating the rod member of FIG. 44;

FIG. 48 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the rod member of FIG.44;

FIG. 49 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a procedure for ventingair from the pack in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 50 is a perspective view illustrating the procedure for venting airfrom the pack in accordance with the present invention; and

FIG. 51 is a front view illustrating a procedure for taking out thecontents of the pack in accordance with the present invention.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

In the annexed drawings, the same or similar elements are designated bythe same reference numerals even though they are depicted in differentdrawings. In the following description of the present invention, adetailed description of known functions and configurations incorporatedherein will be omitted when it may make the subject matter of thepresent invention rather unclear. Now, preferred embodiments of thepresent invention will be described in detail with reference to theannexed drawings.

Although diverse liquid, gaseous, and solid materials may be packed in asealed or vacuum state in accordance with the present invention, thefollowing description will be described in conjunction with foodcommonly encountered in the course of daily life, for convenience ofdescription.

Referring to FIG. 1, a pack sealing device 2 according to the presentinvention is illustrated which is adapted to seal a pack 8. The packsealing device 2 includes a rod member 14, a tubular member 16 adaptedto be slidably fitted around the rod member 14, a squeeze gap 18 definedbetween the rod member 14 and the tubular member 16 to squeeze a desiredportion of the pack 8 in a state in which the tubular member 16 isfitted around the rod member 14, and a slit 20 formed at the tubularmember 16 to extend in a longitudinal direction of the tubular member16.

The rod member 14 has an outer diameter different from the innerdiameter of the tubular member 16 so that the squeeze gap 18 is definedtherearound. That is, the outer diameter of the rod member 14 is smallerthan the inner diameter of the tubular member 16.

The tubular member 16 is open at one end (a front end) or both ends(front and rear ends) thereof so that it can be slidably fitted aroundthe rod member 14. In accordance with such a structure of the tubularmember 16, each of the squeeze gap 18 and slit 20 is open at one endthereof, so that it receives a desired portion of the pack 8 through oneopen end thereof, thereby allowing the pack portion to be slidablyfitted between the rod member 14 and the tubular member 16. In order toachieve easy insertion of a desired portion of the pack 8 into the packsealing device 2, each of the rod member 14 and tubular member 16 isformed with an inclined surface or inclined guide at one end thereof.Similarly, each of the squeeze gap 18 and slit 20 has an inclinedsurface or inclined guide at one end thereof.

The rod member 14 may have a diverse cross-sectional shape. For example,the rod member 14 may have a circular, semicircular, oval, semi-oval,triangular, or rectangular cross-sectional shape. In addition, the rodmember 14 may have a polygonal cross-sectional shape such as a diamond,trapezoidal, pentagonal, hexagonal, or octagonal cross-sectional shape,or a modified cross-sectional shape therefrom. That is, the rod member14 may have an optional cross-sectional shape in so far as it ispossible to achieve an easy squeezing of the pack 8 while securing areliable sealing effect.

In the pack sealing device 1 according to the embodiment of the presentinvention illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the tubular member 14 is open atone end thereof so as to allow the opening portion of the pack 8 to beinserted therein, while being closed at the other end thereof by meansof a thermal fusing or bonding method or a male/female fitting method.In accordance with such a structure of the tubular member 16, each ofthe squeeze gap 18 and slit 20 is open at one end thereof while beingclosed at the other end thereof.

When it is desired to seal the pack 8, the opening portion of the pack 8is first wrapped around one end of the rod member 14, and then insertedinto the squeeze gap 18 while passing through the slit 20. Thus, theopening portion of the pack 8 is squeezed in the squeeze gap 18 inaccordance with the cooperation of the rod member 14 and tubular member16, so that it is maintained in a sealed state, as shown in FIGS. 11 to14.

That is, the opening portion of the pack 8 including the opening 4 is incontact with the rod member 14 and tubular member 16 at a wide areawhile being squeezed between the rod member 14 and the tubular member16, so that it is maintained in a tightly sealed state.

The rod member 14 is coupled at its rear end to the rear end of thetubular member 16. Due to such a structure, the slit 20 does not extendto the rear end of the tubular member 16, as shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and 5.A connector 32 is formed at the rear end of the tubular member 16 wherethe slit 20 is not formed, so as to firmly couple the rod member 14 tothe tubular member 16.

The rod member 14 has a constant outer diameter throughout the lengththereof, except for its front end. At the front end thereof with whichthe pack 8 initially come into contact when it is to be coupled to thepack sealing device 2, the rod member 14 has a guide 14 a having atapered structure with a cross-sectional area gradually reduced as itextends toward its tip. In accordance with such a structure, the initialinsertion of the opening portion of the pack 8 into the squeeze gap 18can be easily carried out. The slit 20 is formed at its front endportion with facing inclined surfaces 16 b gradually spaced away fromeach other as they extend to the front end of the slit 20. In accordancewith such a structure of the slit 20, the initial insertion of the pack8 into the pack sealing device 2 can be easily carried out.

In order to easily carry out the insertion of the opening portion of thepack 8 including the opening 4, the front end of the rod member 14 isslightly protruded beyond the front end of the tubular member 16. Whenit is desired to seal the pack 8 using the pack sealing device 2, it isdesirable to wrap, around the front end of the rod member 14, theopening portion of the pack 8 in a state in which the opening 4 isclosed, and then insert the opening portion of the pack 8 into thesqueeze gap 18 and slit 20.

The squeeze gap 18 has a width corresponding to 2 to 10 times thethickness of the pack 8, so as to allow an easy insertion of the pack 8.Where the slit 20 has an excessively large width, it cannot seal thepack 8. Accordingly, the slit 20 preferably has a width slightly largerthan that of the squeeze gap 18 so that the pack 8 is allowed to easilyaccess the slit 20 in a folded state. Where the pack 8 has a smallthickness, it may be folded to have a multi-ply structure for itssealing.

In accordance with the present invention, the tubular member 16 and/orthe rod member 14 are made of a reinforced synthetic resin materialwhich is not opaque, but transparent or semitransparent, so as to allowthe user to identify, with the naked eye, the fitted state of the pack 8or whether or not foreign matter is present in the squeeze gap 18.

The slit 20 has a length longer than the width W of the pack 8 or thewidth of the opening 4, as shown in FIG. 1, so as to completely seal theopening 4 of the pack 8.

The rod member 14 and tubular member 16 can be coupled to each other,using a diverse coupling structure.

For example, the coupling of the rod member 14 and tubular member 16 maybe firmly achieved by means of a coupling structure using engagementprotrusions and engagement holes, as shown in FIGS. 3 to 7. In thiscase, the rod member 14 is provided at its rear end with an enlargedextension. A horizontal slit 24 is centrally formed at the enlargedextension to extend in a longitudinal direction of the enlarged portion,so as to divide the enlarged extension into two portions 22. Forconvenience of description, the enlarged extension of the rod member 14will be designated by the reference numeral 22 used to designate itsdivided portions. In accordance with this structure, the enlargedextension 22 has an elasticity in vertical and lateral directions. Smallengagement protrusions 26 are centrally formed at the upper and lowerportions of the outer surface of the enlarged extension 22,respectively. The tubular member 16 is provided at its rear end with ahollow enlarged extension 30 having a cross-sectional area increasinggradually as it is spaced away from the rear end of the tubular member16, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 7. Engagement holes 28 are formed atportions of the enlarged extension 30 corresponding to portions of theenlarged extension 22 where the engagement protrusions 26 are formed,respectively. Each engagement protrusion 26 of the enlarged extension 22has an inclined surface 26 a adapted to come into contact with the rearend edge of the enlarged extension 30 when the enlarged extension 22 isinserted into the enlarged extension 30, thereby causing the enlargedextension 22 to have a reduced cross-sectional area. In accordance withthis structure, the engagement of the engagement protrusions 26 with theengagement holes 28 can be easily achieved.

In this case, the coupling of the rod member 14 to the tubular member 16can be achieved by fitting the front end of the rod member 14 in theenlarged extension 30 of the tubular member 16, and pushing the rodmember 14 into the tubular member 16 until the engagement protrusions 26are engaged with the engagement holes 30. In the coupled state, thesqueeze gap 18 is defined between the rod member 14 and the tubularmember 16. Thus, the pack sealing device 12 is completed.

FIGS. 8 and 9 illustrate another coupling structure for the rod member14 and tubular member 16 to complete the pack sealing device 12.

In the case of FIG. 8, the rod member 14 is provided at its rear endwith an enlarged extension 14 d. The rod member 14 also has a knob 14 econnected to the enlarged extension 14 d while having a diameter largerthan the enlarged extension 14 d. In this case, the rod member 14 may beforcibly fitted in the rear end of the tubular member 16 at its rearend, bonded to the rear end of the tubular member 16 by use of anadhesive, or thermally fused to the rear end of the tubular member 16,so as to complete the pack sealing device 12.

By virtue of the knob 14 e, it is possible to prevent the rod member 14from being excessively inserted into the tubular member 16. The knob 14e also allows the user to conveniently use the pack sealing device 12.Where it is unnecessary to use the knob 14 e, the rear end of the rodmember 14 may be formed to have an outer diameter equal to the innerdiameter of the tubular member 16. Alternatively, the portion of the rodmember 14 corresponding to the knob 14 e may be dispensed with.

As shown in FIG. 9, the enlarged extension 14 d may be provided with anannular groove 14 f. An annular protrusion 16 d is also provided at theinner surface portion of the tubular member 16 such that it is engagablewith the annular groove 14 f. When the rod member 14 is forcibly fittedin the tubular member 16, the annular groove 14 f and annular protrusion16 d are firmly engaged with each other.

The annular groove 14 f has an inclined portion and a vertical portion.The vertical portion of the annular groove 14 f faces toward the rearend of the associated rod member 14. Similarly, the annular protrusion16 d has an inclined portion and a vertical portion. The verticalportion of the annular protrusion 16 d faces toward the front end of theassociated tubular member 16. Since the knob 14 e has an outer diameterlarger than the outer diameter of the tubular member 16, it is possibleto prevent the rod member 14 from being excessively inserted into thetubular member 16 to cause a state in which the engagement between theannular groove 14 and annular protrusion 16 d is released.

FIG. 11 illustrates the case in which the cross-sectional shape of therod member 14 is circular, semicircular, oval or semi-oval. In thiscase, the pack 8 is wrapped around the outer surface of the rod member14, so that the squeezed or sealed area of the pack 8 is increased. Inthis case, the tubular member 16 preferably has a circular innercross-sectional shape. However, the tubular member 16 may have an innercross-sectional shape corresponding to the cross-sectional shape of therod member 14. That is, the tubular member 16 may have a circular,semicircular, oval or semi-oval inner cross-sectional shape.

FIG. 12 illustrates the case in which a rod member 14 c having atriangular cross-sectional shape is used. In this cases the rod member14 c is engaged with the slit 20 at its one corner 14 c′, so that a moretight sealing effect is obtained. In this case, the tubular member 16may have a circular, semicircular or triangular cross-sectional shape inorder to allow the rod member 14 c to be inserted therein.

In the case of the rod member 14 c having a triangular cross-sectionalshape, a more tight sealing effect is obtained because the pack 8 issharply bent at the corners 14 c′ of the rod member 14 c, as compared tothe case of FIG. 11 in which the rod member has a circularcross-sectional shape. That is, when the pressure applied to the pack 8increases, the tension of the pack 8 increases in accordance with thefunction of the corner 14 c′ of the rod member 14 c engaged with theslit 20, as shown in FIG. 12, so that the pack 8 is squeezed at theremaining corners 14 c′ of the rod member 14 c under an increasedpressure. In this state, the engagement between the slit 14 and the rodmember 14 c is more firmly achieved. In this case, accordingly, theeffect for sealing the pack 8 is not lost even when an expansivepressure is applied to the pack 8 in accordance with the fermentation oraging of the food 3 received in the pack 8, or a high external pressureis applied to the pack 8.

Since the rod member 14 is engaged with the tubular member 16 at onecorner thereof, it does not rotate even when the pack 8 expands byvirtue of an internal or external pressure applied thereto, so that itdoes not lose its sealing effect.

The inner surface of the tubular member 16 and the outer surface of therod member 14, between which the pack 8 is fitted, are made of amaterial having a certain lubricity, such as Teflon, so as to allow theopening portion of the pack 8 including the opening 4 to be easilyslidably fitted therebetween.

FIG. 13 illustrates the case in which a rod member 14 b having a squarecross-sectional shape is used. In this case, the rod member 14 b isengaged with the slit 20 at its one corner 14 b′, so that a more tightsealing effect is obtained. In this case, the tubular member 16 may havea circular or square cross-sectional shape.

In the case of the rod member 14 b having a square cross-sectionalshape, a more tight sealing effect is obtained because the pack 8 issharply bent at the corners 14 b′ of the rod member 14 b, as compared tothe case of FIG. 11 in which the rod member has a circularcross-sectional shape.

FIGS. 15 to 17 are perspective and front views illustrating the state inwhich the opening 4 of the pack 8 is sealed by the pack sealing device12. In FIGS. 15 to 17, the pack 8 is shown in a state in which itscontents are omitted.

The pack 8 shown in FIG. 15 has a pack structure which is mainly used inour daily life. The pack 3 can pack a food 3 in a sealed state. That is,the user can seal the pack 8 in a vacuum state by use of the packsealing device 12 after opening the opening 4 of the pack 8, and puttinga food 3 into the pack 8 through the opened opening 4. Where thecontents of the pack 8 contain a large part of solid ingredients(solids), as in Kimchi, it is possible to store the contents of the pack8 in a completely sealed state without causing gas from being introducedinto the pack 8 or from being leaked from the pack 8. Thus, it ispossible to maintain the freshness, smell and taste of Kimchi for aprolonged period of time.

FIG. 16 illustrates the case in which a material such as a food 3 ispacked in the pack 8 at a factory (manufacturing place), and the opening4 of the pack 8 is then sealed by the pack sealing device 12, so thatthe pack containing the material can be sold. FIG. 17 illustrates thecase in which a material such as a food 3 is packed in the pack 8 at afactory or restaurant, and the opening 4 is sealed by means of a thermalfusing method or thermal pressing method, so that the pack containingthe material can be sold. In this case, the pack 8 may be sold in astate in which the pack sealing device is coupled to the opening portion4 of the pack 8 including the bonded or fused opening 4. Where aconsumer desires to take out the contents of this pack 8, he may openthe opening 4 of the pack 8 by means of a cutting or tearing method, asin conventional cases.

Once the opening 4 of the pack 8 is opened, as described above, thevacuum state or sealed state of the pack 8 is lost. In accordance withthe present invention, however, the remaining contents of the pack 8 canbe stored in a sealed or vacuum state by use of the pack sealing device12 additionally provided in a state of being coupled to the pack 8. Inthis case, there is an advantage in that the contents of the pack 8 canbe repeatedly taken out and stored in a vacuum or sealed state.

In accordance with the present invention, the pack 8 is preferably madeof a vinyl film product for vacuum package formed by bonding, by use ofa lamination method, a vinyl film having a dense structure, but having alow thermal fusibility, and a polyethylene (PE) film or polypropylene(PP) film having a less dense structure than that of the vinyl film, butbeing thermally fusible in accordance with a thermal fusing method. Byvirtue of such a film structure, it is possible to prevent gas or smellmolecules from moving through the film structure of the pack 8.

That is, the pack 8 is manufactured to have a laminated structure,taking into consideration the fact that a vacuum pressure is applied tothe pack 8, or an expansive pressure is applied to the pack 8 inaccordance with the fermentation or aging of the food 3 received in thepack 8. For example, the pack 8 has a double-layer structure consistingof an outer film and an inner film, as shown in FIG. 18 (a) to (d).Preferably, the outer film comprises a vinyl film having a densestructure to exhibit a low permeability of gas molecules, whereas theinner film comprises a polyethylene (PE) film or polypropylene (PP) filmwhich is harmless to the human body while being easily thermallyfusible, so that the inner and outer films can be bonded to each other.Thus, the pack 8 may be made of a general vinyl product for vacuumpackage.

Of course, the pack 8 may be made of other materials. The food 3 storedin the pack 8 may have a liquid phase, a solid phase, a gaseous phase,or a mixed phase thereof. Accordingly, the pack 8 is preferably made ofa hygienic synthetic resin material (vinyl product or vinyl film) havinga flexibility so that it is adaptable to the phase of the food 3. Also,the synthetic resin material preferably has a high toughness so that itsufficiently withstands a shrinkage pressure caused by vacuum or anexpansion pressure. In addition, it is preferred that the pack 8 havediverse standard shapes and sizes, taking into consideration the volumefor containing the food 3.

In accordance with the present invention, the pack 8 may be providedwith a shape retaining means 10, as shown in FIG. 1. When the opening 4of the pack 8 is widened to put a material into the pack 8 therethrough,the shape retaining means 10 retains the opening 4 in the widened state.Also, when the user pulls the opposite lateral ends of the opening 4while grasping those lateral ends by the hands such that the lateralends are moved away from each other, the opening 4 is closed. At thistime, the shape retaining means 10 retains the opening 4 in the closedstate. By virtue of the shape retaining means 10, it is unnecessary forthe user to continuously grasp desired portions of the opening 4 by thehands in order to retain the opening 4 in the opened state.

The shape retaining means 10 is arranged in the vicinity of the opening4 to extend along the opening 4. Preferably, the shape retaining means10 extends in parallel to the opening 4. Of course, the shape retainingmeans 10 may extend inclinedly with respect to the opening 4. Also, theshape retaining means 10 may be formed to be integral with the pack 8.

Where the shape retaining means 10 is integral with the pack 8, it maybe formed by forming a portion of the pack near the opening 4 to have anoutwardly protruded structure having a thickness corresponding to 2 to10 times the thickness of the pack 8 at other portions of the pack 8.Alternatively, a separate outer protrusion may be formed on the packportion near the opening 4.

As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 18 (a) to (d), the shape retaining means 10may comprise a flexible wire 10 a or flexible plate member 10 b, whichis easily bent when an external force is applied thereto, and retainedat the bent state unless another external force is applied thereto. Inorder to protect or reinforce the wire 10 a or plate member lob, aseparate synthetic resin sheath 83 or 84 may be bonded to the outersurface of the pack 8 such that it covers the wire 10 a or plate member10 b.

The wire 10 a is made of a soft metal wire or a synthetic resin wire,whereas the plate member 10 b is made of a soft metal plate or asynthetic resin plate. Of course, the wire 10 and plate member 10 b maybe made of any other materials in so far as they can retain the openedstate of the opening 4 established by an external force applied thereto.The size of the wire 10 a and plate member 10 b may be determined inaccordance with the size of the pack 8 or the length of the opening 4,so as to retain the opened state of the opening 4.

Meanwhile, where the wire 10 a or plate member 10 b is partially orcompletely made of a metal or conductive material, there is a problem inthat it is impossible to put the pack 8 into a microwave oven forcooking the contents of the pack 8. In this case, the wire 10 a or platemember 10 b may be heated by induction heat generated in the microwaveoven, thereby causing the pack 8 to melt or fuse. In severe cases, thepack 8 may be burnt.

Therefore, in the case of a pack adapted to be used in a microwave oven,it is desirable that the wire 10 a and plate member 10 b are made of amaterial not influenced by induction heat, such as a synthetic resin.

Referring to FIG. 18 (a) to (d), diverse structures of the shaperetaining means 10 are illustrated. As shown in FIG. 18 (a) and (d),wires 10 a or plate members 10 b made of an aluminum thin plate areattached to respective outer surfaces of the front and rear vinyl films81 and 82 of the pack 8 by means of an adhesive or a thermal fusing orpressing method, so that they are integral with the pack 8.

Also, sheaths 84, in which wires 10 a or plate members lob made of analuminum thin plate are embedded, may be attached to respective outersurfaces of the front and rear vinyl films 81 and 82 of the pack 8 bymeans of an adhesive or a thermal fusing or pressing method, so thatthey are integral with the pack 8, as shown in FIG. 18 (b).

Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 18 (c), plate members 10 b may beattached to respective outer surfaces of the front and rear vinyl films81 and 82 of the pack 8 by means of an adhesive or a thermal fusing orpressing method, so that they are integral with the pack 8. Thus, theshape retaining means 10 is completed.

The pack sealing device 12, which is adapted to seal the opening 4 ofthe pack 8, operates to bring the front and rear vinyl films 81 and 82to come into tight contact with each other, thereby causing the pack 8to be maintained in an airtight or watertight state.

The pack sealing device 12 is configured such that it is easily coupledto and separated from the pack 8. Accordingly, it is possible to easilyachieve the vacuum or sealed state of the pack 8 or the vacuum orseal-released state of the pack 8. Also, the pack 8 can be repeatedlyused.

Where the plate members lob are made of a synthetic resin material, theymay have a plate structure having a thickness and elasticity similar tothose of a pad adapted to be inserted under a notebook. As the platemembers lob having such a structure are attached to the pack 8, it ispossible to achieve a desired shape retention of the opening 4.

In the above described cases, the elasticity, thickness, width andflexibility of the plate members lob are appropriately adjusted, basedon the volume (capacity) of the pack 8 or the length of the opening 4,so as to retain an optimum opening shape. In the case of the wires 10 a,their design conditions are determined in the same manner as describedabove.

Where the shape retaining means 10 is to be integral with the pack 8, itmay be formed by forming a portion of the pack near the opening 4 tohave an outwardly protruded structure having a thickness correspondingto 2 to 10 times the thickness of the pack 8 at other portions of thepack 8. Alternatively, a separate outer protrusion may be formed on thepack portion near the opening 4.

FIGS. 19 to 27 illustrate the case in which a bent portion 14 k isformed at the front end of the rod member 14 included in the packsealing device 2 in accordance with the present invention, so as to moreeasily achieve the coupling of the pack 8 to the pack sealing device 2.Where the rod member 14 of the pack sealing device 2 does not have sucha bent portion, and the pack 8 has a vertical seam 23 at its centralportion, as shown in FIG. 25, the vertical seam 23 may be caught by thefront end of the rod member 14 during an insertion of the pack 8 intothe pack sealing device 2. In order to solve such a problem, the bentportion 14 k is formed at the front end of the rod member 14. Ahorizontal extension 14 h is also provided at a front end of the bentportion 14 k. Also, a round or semicircular protrusion 15 is formed at afront end of the horizontal extension 14 h. In accordance with such astructure, it is possible to prevent the seam 23 from being caught bythe front end of the rod member 14 when the pack 8 is inserted into thepack sealing device 2. Thus, the operation for sealing the pack 8 can beeasily achieved.

The round or semicircular protrusion 15 formed at the front end of thehorizontal extension 14 h not only guides an easy insertion of the pack8 into the pack sealing device 2 for sealing thereof, but also preventsthe user or persons positioned around the pack sealing device 2 frombeing injured by the rod member 14 while preventing articles positionedaround the pack sealing device 2 from being damaged by the rod member14.

Meanwhile, the pack 8 coupled to the pack sealing device 2 may slidealong the rod member 14 during a movement thereof from one location toanother location or by an external force intentionally orunintentionally applied to the pack 8 or pack sealing device 2, so thatit may be separated from the pack sealing device 2. In order to preventsuch a problem, a stopper 13 may be formed at a portion of the rodmember 14 arranged slightly beyond the tubular member 16 such that itextends upwardly from the rod member 14, as shown in FIG. 23. When thepack 8 is coupled to the pack sealing device 2 in a sealed state, itsedge arranged toward the front end of the rod member 14 is caught by thestopper 13. Thus, the above described problem is eliminated.

The stopper 13 has, at one side thereof, a vertical surface 13 a facingtoward the squeeze gap 18 so as to restrain a separation of the packfrom the pack sealing device 2. The stopper 13 also has, at the otherside thereof opposite to the vertical surface 13 a, an inclined surface13 b adapted to make the pack 8 be easily inserted into the pack sealingdevice 2.

As shown in FIG. 23, the upper end of the stopper 13 is normallyarranged at a level, indicated by the line P1, slightly higher than thelevel of the squeeze gap 18 indicated by the line P2, so as to allow thestopper 13 to be sufficiently engaged with the facing edge of the pack8.

Where it is desired to separate pack 8 from the pack sealing device 2,the user depresses the front end of the rod member 14, as indicated byan arrow in FIG. 24, such that the upper end of the stopper 13 ispositioned at a level lower than the level of the squeeze gap 18indicated by the line P2. In this state, the stopper 13 is disengagedfrom the facing edge of the pack 8. Accordingly, it is possible toeasily separate the pack 8 from the pack sealing device 2.

As shown in FIG. 20, one or more rings 9 may be attached to the upperportion of an outer surface of the tubular member 16, in order toconnect a string or necklace 7 to the tubular member 16. Under thecondition in which the string or necklace 7 is connected to the rings 9of the tubular member 16, it is possible to stably carry or store thecontents of the pack. For instance, as shown in FIG. 26 or 27, after theuser receives, in the pack 8 through the opening 4, cash or valuables 11a, or an electronic appliance, which may be easily damaged by moistureand dust while being liable to be lost, for example, a mobile phone 11,and then seals the pack 8 by use of the pack sealing device 2, he maywear the pack 8 on the neck via the string or necklace 7 to carry thepack 8 or hang the pack 8 on a wall to store the pack 8. In this case,it is possible to prevent an electronic appliance such as the mobilephone 11, or cash or valuables 11 a from being wet, lost, damaged in awatering place or swimming beach.

Also, a handle 31 may be provided at a central portion of the tubularmember 16, as shown in FIG. 20, so as to allow the user to carry thepack 8 by the hand. Of course, both the rings 9 and the handle 31 may beprovided at the tubular member 16. The handle 31 may have a detachablestructure.

In place of the rings 9, a separate clip 7 a, to which, the string ornecklace 7 is connected, may be detachably mounted to the centralportion of the tubular member 16, as shown in FIG. 27. In this case, thesame effect as in the case of FIG. 26 is obtained.

FIGS. 28 to 30 illustrate the case in which the rod member 14 andtubular member 16 of the pack sealing device 2 are separable from eachother. In this case, the rear end of the tubular member 19 may have anopen structure as shown in FIG. 28, or a closed structure as shown inFIG. 29. In the latter case, an end member 18 a is provided at the rearend of the tubular member 16. By virtue of the end member 18 a, it ispossible to prevent the rod member 14 from extend excessively beyond therear end of the tubular member 16 upon sealing the pack 8.

In the case of FIG. 30, the rings 9 are attached to the upper portion ofthe outer surface of the tubular member 16, in order to connect a stringor necklace 7 to the tubular member 16. In this case, it is possible tostably carry or store cash or valuables 11 a, or an electronicappliance, for example, a mobile phone 11, as described above.

FIGS. 31 and 32 illustrate the case in which the rod member 14 is formedto be integral with the pack 8, or bonded or fused to the pack 8. Thatis, the rod member 14, which has the same length as that of the opening4 of the pack 8, is fixedly attached to a desired portion of the outersurface of the pack 8 in the vicinity of the opening 4. In this case,the tubular member 16 is also detachably attached to a desired portionof the outer surface of the pack 8 in the vicinity of the opening 4.When the user desires to take out the contents of the pack 8, he opensthe opening 4 of the pack 8. After taking out a desired amount of thecontents from the pack 8, the user detaches the tubular member 16 fromthe pack 8, wraps the rod member 14 by the opening portion of the pack8, and then slidably fits the tubular member 16 around the rod member 14wrapped by the opening portion of the pack 8. Thus, the pack 8 is sealedby the pack sealing device 2. As the above described procedure isrepeatedly carried out, the contents of the pack 8 can be repeatedlytaken out and stored in a sealed state.

As shown in FIG. 33, one or more rod members 14 may be attached to oneouter surface or each outer surface of the pack 8. Where two or more rodmembers 14 are attached to one outer surface or each outer surface ofthe pack 8, they may be arranged at the same level to face each other,or at different levels in a zig-zag fashion. In this case, it ispossible to vary the position where the pack 8 is sealed by the packsealing device, in accordance with the level of the contents in the pack8.

Where the opening portion of the pack 8 including the opening 4 has asmall thickness, it may be wrapped around the rod member 14 in a stateof being folded into two, three, or four plies, as shown in FIG. 34, soas to achieve a tight seal.

Typically, the rod member 14 is attached to the pack 8 such that itextends in parallel to the opening 4. However, the rod member 14 may beattached to one corner portion 25 of the pack 8 near one end of theopening 4 such that it extends inclinedly with respect to the opening 4,as shown in FIG. 35, in order to provide an effective sealing effect inthe case in which the opening portion of the pack 8 is inclinedly cut ortore to open the opening 4 at one end thereof so that the user canconveniently take out the contents of the pack 8.

As the rod member 14 is fixedly attached to the pack 8 at one side ofthe opening 4, and the tubular member is separably fitted around the rodmember 14, it is possible to seal the pack 8.

In this case, the sealing of the pack 8 is achieved by wrapping thecorner portion 25 of the pack 8 around the rod member 14, as shown inFIG. 36 and then slidably fitting the tubular member 16 around the rodmember 14 wrapped by the pack portion, as shown in FIG. 37. Since theopening 4 is opened at the corner portion 25 of the pack 8, it ispossible to conveniently take out the contents of the pack 8. Of course,the contents of the pack 8 can be repeatedly taken out and stored in asealed state.

In accordance with the present invention, the rod member 14, which isadapted to be attached to the outer surface of the pack 8, may have adiverse cross-sectional shape. For example, the rod member 14 may have acircular, semicircular, triangular, rectangular, or polygonalcross-sectional shape, an oval cross-sectional shape having a stopperstructure, or a modified cross-sectional shape thereof. Since the rodmember 14 is adapted to be bonded or fused to the outer surface of thepack 8, it is preferred that the surface of the rod member 14 contactingthe opening 4 or corner portion 25 of the pack 8 be planar so that itprovides a wide contact area.

Although the rod member 14 and tubular member 16 are preferably made ofa flexible or soft material so as to allow the pack 8 to be easilyopened, they should be made of a hard material where the pack 8 has alarge size or volume.

Where the rod member 14 formed integrally with the opening 4 of the pack8 or bonded to the opening 4 of the pack 8 is made of a hard material,as in the above described case, it is desirable to form a plurality ofuniformly spaced grooves 27 at the rod member 14, as shown in FIGS. 38to 41, so as to allow the rod member 14 to be easily bent, as shown inFIGS. 39 and 41. In accordance with this structure, the opening 4 of thepack 8 can be easily opened. The space between adjacent ones of thegrooves 27 may be appropriately determined in accordance with the sizeor length of the rod member 14.

Also, a plurality of annular grooves 29 uniformly spaced from oneanother by a small distance may be formed at the outer surface of thetubular member 14 in the pack sealing device 2 in accordance with thepresent invention so that the tubular member 14 has a desiredflexibility, as shown in FIG. 42.

Meanwhile, the pack sealing device 2 may also be applied to a zipperpack 8 k provided, at the pack opening 4, with a zipper 21 consisting offemale and male zipper members, as shown in FIG. 43. In this case, thezipper 21 is wrapped by the opening portion of the zipper pack 8 k underthe condition in which its female and male zipper members are coupled.Thereafter, the tubular member 16 is slidably fitted around the zipper21 wrapped by the opening portion of the zipper pack 8 k, so as to sealthe zipper pack 8 k.

FIG. 44 illustrates, in the form of front and cross-sectional views,another embodiment of the present invention in which the rod member 14is fixed to the inner surface of the pack 8. In this case, the pack 8 iswrapped around the rod member 14, and the tubular member 16 is thenslidably fitted around the rod member 14 wrapped by the pack 8, so as toseal the pack 8.

For example, where the rod member 14 has a triangular cross-sectionalshape, it is bonded at both ends thereof to respective opposite lateralseams 8 a of the pack 8 while being bonded at one flat portion 14 gthereof to the inner surface of the pack 8, upon manufacturing the pack8. In this case, it is important to prevent the seal of the pack 8 frombeing destroyed by the rod member 14.

In the case of FIG. 44, the seams 8 a of the pack 8 may be excessivelyprotruded due to the cross-sectional shape of the rod member 14.Furthermore, the seal at the seams 8 a may be destroyed when the rodmember 14 is unstably bonded to the seams 8 a. To this end, the rodmember 14 has a triangular cross-sectional shape at a middle portion 14m thereof while having flat portions 14 n of a reduced thickness at bothends thereof to be bonded to respective lateral seams 8 a of the pack 8,respectively.

Since the rod member 14 has the flat portions 14 n having a reducedthickness, it can be firmly bonded to the seams 8 a of the pack 8.Preferably, each flat portion 14 n is centrally aligned with the rodmember 14.

FIGS. 49 and 50 illustrate an example of a procedure for sealing thepack 8 after putting contents, such as a food 3, into the pack 8.

When it is desired to put a food 3 of a liquid phase containing liquidingredients, such as soup, into the pack 8, the user widens the opening4 by the hands to open the opening 4. At this time, the opening 4 isretained in a widened state by the shape retaining means 10.

In this state, the user puts a desired amount of the food 3 into thepack 8 through the widened opening 4, wraps the rod member 14 by theopening portion of the pack 8 including the opening 4, and then slidablyfits the tubular member 16 around the rod member 14 by pushing thetubular member 16 along the rod member 14. Thus, the pack sealing device12 is coupled to the pack 8. Prior to such a coupling of the packsealing device 12, the opening 4 of the pack 8 is temporarily maintainedin an incompletely sealed state by incompletely pushing the tubularmember 16 along the rod member 14, as shown in FIG. 50, in order to ventair from the pack 8. In this state, the user depresses the pack 8 atopposite sides while holding the front and rear vinyl films 81 and 82 ofthe pack by the hands H1 and H2, as shown in FIG. 49. As the pack 8 isdepressed, it is contracted, thereby causing the food 3 to rise in thepack 8. As a result, air O present above the food 3 is vent from thepack 8.

After completely vent the air O present in the pack 8 by continuouslydepresses the pack 8 by the hands H1 and H2, the user completely pushesthe tubular member 16 along the rod member 14, so as to completely fitthe tubular member 16 around the rod member 14. Thus, the pack 8 iscompletely sealed.

Where it is difficult to completely vent the air O, the user pushes thetubular member 16 along the rod member 14 under the condition in whichhe depresses the pack 8 by the hands H1 and H2 until a small amount ofthe food 3 is slightly leaked from the pack 8. Accordingly, it ispossible to completely seal the pack 8 in a state in which the air O hasbeen completely vented.

Since the interior of the pack 8 is maintained in a vacuum state inaccordance with a completely ventilation of air therefrom, it ispossible to prevent the food 3 from being oxidized and rotting, whilemaintaining the freshness and intrinsic smell of the food. Accordingly,the food 3 can be stored for a prolonged period of time.

Generally, a considerable amount of gas (oxygen, etc.) is present, in adissolved state, in water such as city water. In the case of a foodcooked using such water, gas contained in the food is escaped from thewater during a procedure of cooling the food because it is evaporated.Accordingly, where such a cooked food is packed in a pack, it can have astate approximate to a vacuum state when air visible to the naked eye isremoved from the pack.

Since the pack 8 of the present invention can prevent gas or smellmolecules of the food 3 from escaping therefrom by virtue of its vinylfilm having a dense structure, it is possible to maintain the freshnessand intrinsic smell and taste of the food 3 for a prolonged period oftime. Also, the pack 8 is hygienic because its inner film contacting thefood 3 is made of a polyethylene (PE) film or polypropylene (PP) film.

For example, even when a highly smelly food, such as fish, beef, orKimchi, is packed in the pack 8 in a sealed state, and then it is storedin a refrigerator, there is no occasion that the smell of the fish,beef, or Kimchi permeates the refrigerator, because the smell moleculesof the fish, beef, or Kimchi cannot escape from the pack 8.

In the case in which such a food is stored in a frozen state in a packmade of a general vinyl, for several months, however, the smell of therefrigerator may permeate the food. In accordance with the presentinvention, it is also possible to prevent the freshness and intrinsicsmell and taste of the fish, beef, or Kimchi from being degraded,because the smell of the refrigerator cannot permeate the pack 8.

Meanwhile, the pack 8 and pack sealing device 12 of the presentinvention can be reused after being washed. Accordingly, there is anadvantage in terms of use of resources.

Also, the present invention is applicable to temporary storage ofgarbage rotting easily and severely while smelling highly. That is, suchgarbage may be accumulatively put into the pack of the present inventionto be temporarily stored prior to disposal thereof.

In particular, it is wasteful to dump the pack 8 once used to storeKimchi or other food. In this regard, where such a pack is reused tostore food garbage or other garbage in a sealed state, there is anadvantage in that it is unnecessary to daily dump such garbage becausethe smell of the garbage can be perfectly confined in the pack inaccordance with the present invention. Even in the summer season inwhich garbage may rot easily and severely, there is no problem caused bysuch rotting of garbage.

Also, where the pack and pack sealing device of the present inventionare used to store food of a liquid phase such as sweet drink made fromfermented rice, beef soup, anchovy soup, loach soup, or soup of choppedbeef with various condiments, or side dishes, such food or side dishesmay be cooked in a large amount, and stored in the freezing orrefrigerating compartment of a refrigerator in a state of being packedin the pack 8 so that they may be subsequently taken out from the pack 8in a desired amount.

The food may be packed in dosage in a plurality of packs, respectively.In this case, the packs may be stored in a frozen state in the freezingcompartment of the refrigerator so that the food can be taken in dosageafter being thawed every time it is to be taken.

A desired number of the frozen packs stored in the freezing compartmentof the refrigerator may be periodically transferred to the refrigeratingcompartment of the refrigerator so that they are stored in arefrigerated state. In this case, it is possible to eliminate the timetaken to thaw the frozen food before the user takes the food.

Also, the pack and pack sealing device of the present invention may beused to store boiled rice. For example, boiled rice may be put in a ricebowl which is, in turn, packed in the pack 8 of the present invention.In this case, the taste of the boiled rice can be maintained for aprolonged period of time. Where food is stored in the pack 8 of thepresent invention in a state of being put in a port, it is possible tomaintain the freshness and intrinsic smell and taste of the food for aprolonged period of time because the smell of the food is perfectlyconfined in the pack 8, and external smell cannot permeate the pack 8.

In addition, the pack and pack sealing device of the present inventionmay be used to store food to be taken in a picnic party or other eventsfor leisure. Cooked food or food prepared to be simply cooked may bepacked in the pack 8 in a sealed state, and then transported to an eventplace. In this case, there is convenience in that it is unnecessary toperform a complicated cooking process in the event place.

It is also possible to prevent the smell of the food 3 from permeatingthe vehicle transporting the food 3 because the pack 8 preventsdiffusion of the food smell. Thus, it is possible to prevent theinterior of the vehicle from being contaminated. Where the food packedin the pack is soup or pot-stew, there is convenience in that the usercan take the food after simply heating or boiling the food in the eventplace without requiring any cooking process.

Since the pack sealing device 12 of the present invention provides astrong seal effect, it is possible to prevent gas from being introducedinto the pack or outwardly leaked from the pack. Also, the pack 8 cansufficiently withstand an excessive expansion pressure generated thereinbecause it is made of a vinyl film having a high toughness. That is, thepack 8 exhibits a superior seal effect for fermentable food. After anexperiment, it could be seen that there is no occasion that gasgenerated in accordance with a fermentation of the food stored in thepack is leaked through the front and rear vinyl films 81 and 82 of thepack 8 or through the pack sealing device 12, or causes the pack 8 to beexploded.

Since the vinyl film of the pack 8 has a surface having a certainsmoothness, and the elements of the packing sealing device 12 aremachined to have a certain smoothness, it is possible to easily achievethe coupling of the pack sealing device 12 to the pack 8.

When the user widens the opening 4 of the pack 8 to put the food 3 intothe pack 8, the shape retaining means 10 retains the opening 4 in thewidened state. Accordingly, the user can easily put the food 3 into thepack 8. It is also possible to prevent the food 3 from being smeared onthe outer surface of the pack 8 around the opening 4 or flowing alongthe outer surface of the pack 8 during the process of putting the food 3into the pack 8. Thus, the pack 8 can be maintained in a clean state.

Also, it is possible to reduce the phenomenon that the pack 8 is foldedor otherwise varied in shape at its middle portion during the process ofputting the food 3 into the pack 8, as compared to conventional cases.Accordingly, there are advantages in that it is possible to convenientlyuse the pack 8 while reducing the time taken to put the food 3 into thepack 8.

When it is desired to take out the food 3 packed in a vacuum state inthe pack 8, the user first laterally pulls the pack sealing device 12such that the opening 4 of the pack 8 is slightly opened, and theninclines the pack 8 to take out a desired amount of the food 3 throughthe opened opening 4, as shown in FIG. 50. Thereafter, the userdepresses the pack 8 at opposite sides while holding the front and rearvinyl films 81 and 82 of the pack 8 by the hands, as described above, inorder to substantially completely vent air O present in the pack 8.Finally, the user laterally pushes the pack sealing device 12 to sealthe opening 4 of the pack 8. Thus, the remaining food 3 can again bepacked in a vacuum state in the pack 8.

Although the preferred embodiments of the invention have been disclosedfor illustrative purposes, those skilled in the art will appreciate thatvarious modifications, additions and substitutions are possible, withoutdeparting from the scope and spirit of the invention as disclosed in theaccompanying claims.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

In accordance with the present invention, it is possible to pack diverseliquid, gaseous, and solid materials or objects in a sealed or vacuumstate after putting such a material or object into the pack of thepresent invention through the opening of the pack, and then sealing theopening of the pack by the pack sealing-device of the present invention.The pack and pack sealing device of the present invention can be simplyand conveniently used by young and old, men and women. Since each of thepack and pack sealing device of the present invention has a simplestructure, it can provide a reliable sealing or vacuum effect withoutany failure.

When it is desired to store food in a sealed or vacuum state, thisstorage can be simply and conveniently achieved using the pack and packsealing device of the present invention. When the food packed in thepack is to be taken out for its cooking or consumption by the user, thesealed or vacuum state of the pack can be simply released as the userlaterally pulls or pushes the pack sealing devices. In such a manner,the food packed in the pack can be repeatedly taken out and stored in avacuum or sealed state.

Since each of the pack and pack sealing device of the present inventionhas a simple structure, it can be easily used by people, young and old,men and women all alike, without involving any failure thereof. In someapplications, the pack and pack sealing device of the present inventionmake our daily life more convenient. Thus, the present invention isuseful in the pursuit of a happy daily life.

1. A method for sealing a pack, comprising the steps of: fixedly bondinga rod member to an outer surface of the pack; wrapping a portion of thepack around the rod member; and slidably fitting a slit tubular memberaround the rod member wrapped by the pack portion such that the packextends through a slit formed at the tubular member, thereby sealing thepack.
 2. A method for sealing a pack, comprising the steps of: fixedlybonding a rod member to an inner surface of the pack; wrapping a portionof the pack around the rod member; and slidably fitting a slit tubularmember around the rod member wrapped by the pack portion such that thepack extends through a slit formed at the tubular member, therebysealing the pack.
 3. A method for sealing a zipper pack provided at anopening thereof with a zipper including male and female zipper members,comprising the steps of: coupling the male and female zipper members ofthe zipper; wrapping a portion of the zipper pack around the zipper; andslidably fitting a slit tubular member around the zipper wrapped by thepack portion such that the pack extends through a slit formed at thetubular member, thereby sealing the zipper pack.
 4. A pack sealingdevice including a rod member, a tubular member adapted to be slidablyfitted around the rod member, a squeeze gap defined between the rodmember and the tubular member, a slit formed at the tubular member toextend in a longitudinal direction of the tubular member, an inclinedguide formed at one end of the rod member, and another inclined guideformed at one end of the tubular member, wherein: the tubular member hasa circular cross-sectional shape; and the rod member is formed, at oneend thereof, with a bent portion extending inclinedly toward the slit ofthe tubular member in a state, in which the rod member is fitted in thetubular member, a horizontal extension formed to extend horizontallyfrom an end of the bent portion opposite to the rod member, and asemicircular protrusion formed at an end of the horizontal extensionopposite to the bent portion.
 5. The pack sealing device according toclaim 4, wherein the pack sealing device further includes at least onering provided at an outer surface of the tubular member.
 6. The packsealing device according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the rod member isformed, at one end thereof, with a protruded stopper having a verticalsurface and an inclined surface.
 7. The pack sealing device according toclaim 4 or 5, wherein the rod member is made of a hard material, andprovided, at an outer surface thereof, with a plurality of groovesuniformly spaced apart from one another by a small distance and adaptedto allow the rod member to be flexible.
 8. The pack sealing deviceaccording to claim 4 and 5, wherein: the rod member is fixedly bonded toan outer surface of a pack to be sealed; and the tubular member isseparably coupled to the rod member.
 9. The pack sealing deviceaccording to claim 4 and 5, wherein: the rod member is fixedly bonded toan inner surface of a pack to be sealed; and the tubular member isseparably coupled to the rod member.
 10. The pack sealing deviceaccording to claim 4 or 5, wherein the rod member has a cross-sectionalshape selected from a group consisting of circular, semicircular, oval,rectangular, diamond, trapezoidal, and polygonal cross-sectional shapes.11. The pack sealing device according to claim 4 or 5, wherein: the rodmember is fixedly bonded to an inner surface of a pack to be sealed; thetubular member is separably coupled to the rod member; and the rodmember has flat portions of a reduced thickness at both ends thereof,respectively.
 12. The pack sealing device according to claim 4 or 5,wherein: the rod member is fixedly bonded to an outer surface of a pack,to be sealed, near one corner portion of the pack such that it extendsinclinedly; and the tubular member is separably coupled to the rodmember.